Efficacy of Calcium Channel Blockers Versus Other Classes of Antihypertensive Medication in the Treatment of Hypertensive Patients With Previous Stroke and/or Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Hypertensive patients, such as those with established coronary artery disease (CAD) or those who have suffered a stroke, are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality. This systematic literature review and meta-analysis assesses the long-term effects of calcium channel blockers (CCBs) compared with other classes of antihypertensive medications on major cardiovascular (CV) outcomes in these high-risk subgroups of hypertensive patients. Randomized, active controlled parallel group trials were included if they compared CCBs with α-blockers, β-blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, or diuretics, had a follow-up of ≥6 months, and had assessments of blood pressure (BP) and CV events [all-cause death, CV death, major CV events (myocardial infarction, MI; congestive heart failure, CHF; stroke; and CV death), MI, stroke, or CHF] in patients with baseline systolic/diastolic BP ≥140/≥90 mm Hg with either concomitant previous stroke and/or CAD. The final dataset included 19 publications reporting on 7 unique trials. In hypertensive patients with previous stroke, there was no difference between CCBs and comparators for any CV outcome. In those with CAD, there was no difference for all-cause death, CV death, major CV events, and MI for CCBs relative to comparators; however, a reduction in the risk of stroke and an increase in the risk of CHF were seen. For BP lowering, CCBs were at least as efficacious as comparators. The findings of our systematic review and analysis add to the body of evidence for the use of CCBs for the long-term treatment of hypertension in difficult-to-treat high CV risk populations.